Riptides,
Windmills (or any other name they might be called) are mechanical devices and will require maintenance and will also wear out eventually. Maintenance practices will either extend or shorten the life expectancy.
Go solar. Yes, as was said, prices are "up" on solar panels but they are still less expensive than they used to be. I bought 100 watt panels 15 years ago and (including the controllers and wire and etc. that go with them) I spent about $1000 each.
Yesterday I almost finished installing 6 new 170W panels (plus the assorted support equipment). Total price was $6800, so the price per watt is much less than it used to be. Hundreds of that was for shipping as these panels were too big for UPS and had to come truck freight.
Solar panels don't wear out. They come typically with 25 year guarantees, but will likely NEVER need replacing.
There is a federal tax credit of 30% up to a $2000 limit. Depending on your power provider, there may be rebates available too. Up until this year Calif had some state tax credit for solar, which could be a possibility for you worth investigating. You can read about the federal tax credit here:
Solar tax credit
I'm not hooked to the power grid so I don't qualify for rebates from the power company. I use a propane-powered generator for backup. We've just had the wettest (and cloudiest) spring in recorded history. I had to use the generator WAY too much. That's why I'm adding panels: I need to make power even if it's overcast. Propane prices are skyrocketing with gas.
If these panels don't completely eliminate my propane generator usage, next year I could add more. Right now, I'm maxed out as far as the tax credit goes so I'd want to wait until after Jan 1 for any more.
If you have questions, you can PM me or post here if they'd be of interest to others. I've been "off-grid" since the late seventies and have tried or investigated many options.
Phil